University of Birmingham and IIT Madras launch joint Masters programmes
The universities will establish a joint research fund to support potential research partnerships in data science, energy systems, and biomedical engineering.
University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Tickell with Professor Koshy Varghese, Director In-Charge, IIT Madras
The University of Birmingham and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) are joining forces to launch Joint Masters’ programmes that will see students studying in Birmingham and Chennai before receiving a single degree awarded by both universities.
It is proposed to launch the first joint postgraduate programme next year before developing further study programmes in subsequent years. The partnership agreement was reached during a visit to Chennai, by Professor Adam Tickell.
Professor V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor & Principal of the University of Birmingham, signed a collaborative Statement of Intent to explore study areas including data science, energy systems and biomedical engineering.
“The University of Birmingham is a global ‘civic’ university committed to forging meaningful education and research partnerships in India. These innovative joint postgraduate programmes between IIT Madras and University Birmingham will offer students the opportunity to pursue a world-class education at globally leading institutions in two countries, and to have their educational achievements recognised by both.”
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor & Principal of the University of Birmingham, said: “The University of Birmingham is a global ‘civic’ university and committed to forging meaningful education and research partnerships in India. These innovative joint postgraduate programmes between IIT Madras and University Birmingham will offer students the opportunity to pursue a world-class education at globally leading institutions in two countries, and to have their educational achievements recognised by both.”
The joint programmes will be delivered at the campuses of both institutions and mutual recognition of academic credits issued by each university will lead to the award of a single degree certificate.
This is the first such education partnership at Masters’ level between any IIT and a UK Russell Group University. Students would benefit from academic flexibility to learn and work in current areas that would define the future of global engineering and technology.
This is a great beginning for what we hope will be a long and fruitful association with the University of Birmingham, hitting several high notes.”
Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean (Global Engagement), IIT Madras, said, “This is a great beginning for what we hope will be a long and fruitful association with University of Birmingham, hitting several high notes.”
The agreement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2022 where both institutions declared their intention to further develop their partnership.
Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Birmingham, commented, “This agreement sets out our vision for how the relationship between IIT Madras and the University of Birmingham will develop in the coming years. I look forward to seeing the many fruitful education and research collaborations which will emerge as we work ever closer together.”
Further, Professor Preeti Aghalayam, Faculty Advisor for International Academic Programmes (Global Engagement), IIT Madras, said, “We are excited to explore this new vista of internationalisation for IIT Madras, and look forward to putting together a stellar offering benefiting students from all geographies, together with our colleagues at Birmingham.”
The University of Birmingham has a number of significant partnerships in India, underpinned by its India Institute which aims to increase the visibility, impact and coherence of Birmingham’s engagement in the country.
Notes for editors
Notes for editors
For more information, please contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0)782 783 2312 or . For out-of-hours enquiries, please call +44 (0) 7789 921 165.
MEDIA CONTACT FOR IIT MADRASIIT Madras Media Cell on +44 2257 9785
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
The India Institute was established in January 2018 and brings Birmingham and India closer together to deliver impactful research, create innovative education initiatives and extend the University’s influence across the globe.
The University’s relationship with India began in 1909 with the first cohort of Indian students attending the University to study for degrees in Mining and Commerce. Since then, the University has provided education to many outstanding Indian alumni.
Experts from Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) have already worked with the National Rail and Transport Institute of India (NRTI) to establish a joint MSc programme in Railway Engineering.
ABOUT IIT MADRAS
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) was established in 1959 by the Government of India as an ‘Institute of National Importance.’ The activities of the Institute in various fields of Science and Technology are carried out in 16 academic departments and several advanced interdisciplinary research academic centres. The Institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to B.Tech., M.Sc., M.B.A., M.Tech., M.S., and Ph.D., degrees in a variety of specialisations. IITM is a residential institute with more than 600 faculty and 9,500 students. Students from 18 countries are enrolled here. IITM fosters an active entrepreneurial culture with strong curricular support and through the IITM Incubation Cell.
Recognized as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) in 2019, IITM has been ranked No.1 in the ‘Overall’ Category for the fourth consecutive year in India Ranking 2022 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. The Institute has also been ranked No.1 in the ‘Engineering Institutions’ category in the same Rankings for seven consecutive years – from 2016 to 2022. It was also adjudged as the ‘Top innovative Institution’ in the country in Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) in 2019, 2020 and 2021. ARIIA Ranking was launched by the Innovation Cell of Ministry of Education.